Modular computer device

Abstract

The computer housing of a modular computer device includes a rectangular housing body-having a front panel formed with at least one module receiving opening, a side door mounted pivotally on the housing body and operable so as to close and open an open lateral side of the housing body, and a connector unit disposed in the housing body and having at least one electrical connecting set registered with a corresponding module receiving opening. A computer main board is mounted on an inner surface of the side door and is connected electrically to the connector unit. At least one computer peripheral module has a module housing that is disposed slidably and removably in a corresponding module receiving opening and that has a rear side provided with a module connector set. The module connector set engages mechanically and electrically an aligned corresponding electrical connecting set of the connector unit to establish electrical connection between the computer peripheral module and the computer main board.

I claim: 
     
       1. A modular computer device comprising a computer housing that includes: a rectangular housing body having a front panel formed with at least one module receiving opening, said housing body further having an open lateral side;   a side door mounted pivotally on said housing body and operable so as to close and open said open lateral side of said housing body; and   a connector unit disposed in said housing body and having at least one electrical connecting set registered with a corresponding said module receiving opening,   said connector unit including an upright casing mounted inside said housing body such that said casing is parallel to and is spaced apart from said front panel, said casing having a circuit board disposed therein, said electrical connecting set being mounted on said circuit board and extending out of said casing toward the corresponding said module receiving opening,   said electrical connecting set including a first module power connector and a first module signal connector,   said connector unit further including a main power connector and a main signal connector mounted on said circuit board, said main power connector being connected electrically to said first module power connector of said electrical connecting set, said main signal connector being connected electrically to said first module signal connector of said electrical connecting set.   
     
     
       2. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a power supplying unit disposed in said housing body and connected electrically to said main power connector of said connector unit. 
     
     
       3. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a computer main board mounted on an inner surface of said side door and connected electrically to said connector unit. 
     
     
       4. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a signal cable that connects electrically said computer main board to said main signal connector of said connector unit and that complies with the IEEE 1394 and USB interface standards. 
     
     
       5. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising at least one computer peripheral module having a module housing that is disposed slidably and removably in a corresponding said module receiving opening and that has a rear side provided with a module connector set, said module connector set including a second module power connector and a second module signal connector that engage mechanically and electrically said first module power connector and said first module signal connector of an aligned corresponding said electrical connecting set of said connector unit to establish electrical connection between said computer peripheral module and said computer main board. 
     
     
       6. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said module housing and the corresponding said module receiving opening are formed with a tongue-and-groove unit for slidable retention of said module housing in the corresponding said module receiving opening. 
     
     
       7. The modular computer device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said computer peripheral module is one of a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a tape machine, and a CD-ROM drive.